#utility-governance

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fromFast Company
14 hours ago

Why AI-powered city cameras are sounding new privacy alarms

The expansion of automatic license plate readers as a source of deep concern is evident as government authorities seek ways to target immigrant and transgender communities.
Privacy technologies
Environment
from99% Invisible
2 days ago

Service Request #4: How Does the Grid in Phoenix Work? - 99% Invisible

Phoenix's extreme summer heat underscores the critical importance of a reliable electrical grid for survival.
fromInvestigative Post
2 days ago

Investigative Post event on reforming Buffalo and NY government.

John Kaehny has written and successfully lobbied for the passage of state and New York City laws related to government transparency and accountability, including the first open data law in the world in 2012.
NYC politics
California
fromPadailypost
2 days ago

Group wants to put town's use of parking lots on the ballot

Residents of Los Altos seek a ballot initiative to protect downtown parking plazas from changes without public voting.
NYC music
fromStreetsblog California
3 days ago

The Week in Short Videos - Streetsblog California

Streetsblog NYC announced a themed action movie starring Sebastian Stan, alongside updates on videos and federal land fracking proposals.
#ai
Marketing tech
fromForbes
5 days ago

The New Frontier Of GEO Demands An Integrated Approach

AI has transformed search optimization, requiring a unified approach across departments to enhance brand visibility and trustworthiness.
Artificial intelligence
fromEntrepreneur
4 days ago

Why Entrepreneurs Can't Ignore AI's Growing Energy Demands

AI's rapid growth is significantly increasing global electricity demand, reshaping energy as a strategic business asset for entrepreneurs.
Marketing tech
fromForbes
5 days ago

The New Frontier Of GEO Demands An Integrated Approach

AI has transformed search optimization, requiring a unified approach across departments to enhance brand visibility and trustworthiness.
Artificial intelligence
fromEntrepreneur
4 days ago

Why Entrepreneurs Can't Ignore AI's Growing Energy Demands

AI's rapid growth is significantly increasing global electricity demand, reshaping energy as a strategic business asset for entrepreneurs.
Design
fromArchDaily
2 days ago

Cultural Centers Beyond the Building: 6 Unbuilt Projects Integrating Landscape

Cultural centers are evolving to reflect diverse architectural explorations and redefine public institutions' roles in various contexts.
UK politics
fromwww.independent.co.uk
3 days ago

National app could end parking headaches for drivers

The National Parking Platform initiative aims to simplify parking payments by allowing drivers to use one app for multiple services.
Austin
fromPadailypost
2 days ago

New bus-only route might open the door to 7-story apartment buildings

Turning the Dumbarton Rail Corridor into a bus-only route may lead to seven-story apartment buildings in Atherton.
New York City
fromwww.amny.com
2 days ago

National Grid revamping key Staten Island natural gas site | amNewYork

National Grid New York is modernizing Staten Island's Grasmere Gate Station to enhance natural gas supply for 100,000 customers.
#cybersecurity
fromPhilosophynow
4 days ago
Philosophy

The Collective City

Islamic philosophy invites plurality and coexistence, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and the acceptance of error in understanding.
#data-centers
Data science
fromThe Walrus
3 days ago

Data Centres Are on Track to Wreck the Planet. Can We Stop Them? | The Walrus

Hyperscaled data centers consume massive power and water, raising concerns about their environmental impact.
Environment
fromFortune
1 week ago

Data centers aren't breaking the grid. A broken grid is | Fortune

A new Senate bill misidentifies data centers as the problem, while the real issue lies in an outdated and underbuilt electrical grid.
Silicon Valley
fromFast Company
2 days ago

Baltimore is pushing back against AI's worst excesses. What happens next could reshape American tech

Baltimore is addressing the risks of AI, exemplified by a lawsuit against xAI for generating illegal content.
Bootstrapping
fromTheregister
2 days ago

When a billboard survives the wind, but not the boot

A malfunctioning billboard in Cheyenne humorously highlights issues with the GRUB bootloader used in Linux systems.
Renovation
fromArchDaily
3 days ago

Designed Comfort, Purchased Comfort: Passive Design and Air Conditioning in Hong Kong

Widespread reliance on air conditioning has significantly altered architectural design incentives, particularly in Hong Kong.
Public health
fromArs Technica
6 days ago

Water utility announces it's ditching fluoride-then reveals it did so years ago

Birmingham's lawsuit against CAW seeks to restore fluoride in water, citing public health risks from its removal.
Boston real estate
fromtherealdeal.com
4 days ago

Activist investor seeks to oust Americold Chair Mark Patterson over problematic boardroom behavior

Sieve Capital is urging Americold Realty Trust to remove Mark Patterson as chairman due to concerns over his governance and past dealings.
SF music
fromFuncheap
4 days ago

What Comes After

What Comes After is a choral event exploring themes of resilience and transformation through music and dialogue.
#middle-east-conflict
World politics
fromwww.aljazeera.com
4 days ago

What can nations do to make up for the ongoing energy shortfall?

The Middle East conflict has disrupted 20% of the world's fuel supply, prompting countries to seek alternative energy sources.
World politics
fromwww.aljazeera.com
5 days ago

What can nations do to make up for the ongoing energy shortfall?

The Middle East conflict has disrupted 20% of the world's fuel supply, prompting countries to seek alternative energy sources.
World politics
fromwww.aljazeera.com
4 days ago

What can nations do to make up for the ongoing energy shortfall?

The Middle East conflict has disrupted 20% of the world's fuel supply, prompting countries to seek alternative energy sources.
World politics
fromwww.aljazeera.com
5 days ago

What can nations do to make up for the ongoing energy shortfall?

The Middle East conflict has disrupted 20% of the world's fuel supply, prompting countries to seek alternative energy sources.
Europe news
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 days ago

In Europe, lobbyists are using soaring fuel prices to make the case for more dirty energy

Europe is better prepared for the energy crisis but faces challenges from high fuel prices and opposition to renewable energy policies.
London
fromianVisits
4 days ago

Exhibition charts how the City of London ended up owning Epping Forest

Epping Forest was preserved by the City of London after a series of legal actions and purchases in the 19th century.
San Jose Sharks
fromSan Jose Spotlight
4 days ago

San Jose rolls out the welcome mat at Arena Green - San Jose Spotlight

Arena Green Park in San Jose has undergone significant renovations, making it ready for public use and community events.
fromFast Company
5 days ago

How Paris redesigned itself to be a city of bikes-not cars

"This project is symbolic of what we've done over the last 12 years, reshaping the streets and the city," Christophe Najovski, the city's deputy mayor in charge of green spaces, stated during the opening ceremony.
Paris food
SF politics
fromFortune
6 days ago

Hyperscalers often lack the "aptitude" on power as the political push picks up to expedite grid connections and pipelines | Fortune

Federal efforts to expedite power grid interconnections face challenges due to hyperscalers' communication issues and lack of understanding of processes.
UK news
fromwww.bbc.com
6 days ago

Councils pressed to use universal parking app to cut 'unfair' fines

The government is promoting a nationwide parking payment app to reduce fines and simplify payments for drivers across England.
Canada news
fromwww.cbc.ca
5 days ago

Toronto council approves major Swansea Mews rebuild despite community concerns | CBC News

Toronto city council approved a rebuild plan for Swansea Mews, but former tenants feel it does not meet their needs or desires.
Mission District
from99% Invisible
5 days ago

Service Request #3: Why Is There So Much Litter in San Francisco? - 99% Invisible

San Francisco's struggle with public trash can placement reveals deeper issues in urban waste management and human behavior.
fromAllthingssmitty
6 days ago

You probably don't need to lift state - Matt Smith

Keep state as close as possible to where it's actually used. Lift it when multiple components need it or you need to coordinate behavior between components.
React
Social justice
fromPUNCH
6 days ago

What Does a Bar Owe Its Neighbors?

Bartenders in urban areas face challenges of homelessness and mental health crises, requiring a balance of compassion, safety, and quick decision-making.
NYC politics
fromGothamist
2 days ago

New Yorkers stopped composting after city stopped giving them fines, report shows

Enforcement of composting fines in New York City has decreased, leading to a significant drop in compost collection since 2025.
New York City
fromGothamist
2 days ago

Reforms to 'wild west' private trash industry come to Manhattan's Chinatown

Manhattan's Chinatown will implement new trash reforms requiring businesses to use authorized waste companies by May 2024.
London politics
fromwww.bbc.com
5 days ago

New bin rules begin in England but not all councils are ready

New rules mandate weekly food waste collections in England, but many councils are unprepared to meet the deadline.
Environment
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 days ago

Google teams up with gas plant for AI datacenter in sharp turn from climate goals

Google partners with Crusoe Energy for a natural gas power plant to supply energy for its Texas datacenter, marking a shift from its carbon-neutral goals.
fromArchDaily
4 days ago

The Illusion of Lightness: Designing Civic Voids for Public Life

The original intent of pilotis was to create a sense of lightness that would allow circulation and light to flow beneath a structure, but contemporary requirements render thin columns insufficient for large-scale civic projects.
Renovation
fromElectronic Frontier Foundation
1 week ago

Digital Hopes, Real Power: From Revolution to Regulation

66% of internet users live where political or social sites are blocked, and 78% are in countries where people have been arrested for online posts. New social media regulations have emerged in dozens of countries in the past year alone.
World politics
SF politics
fromStreetsblog USA
6 days ago

Transit Safety For the People, By the People - Streetsblog USA

The RIDER Safety Act proposes hiring transit ambassadors to enhance safety in public transit without police involvement.
#nyc-community-boards
NYC politics
fromwww.amny.com
3 days ago

NYC Council members would have more control in establishing community boards, per new bill

A new bill proposes that NYC Council members appoint half of community board members to enhance local representation.
New York City
fromwww.amny.com
4 days ago

NYC community boards: What to know about these civic groups, how they operate and why there's a reform push

NYC Community Boards are essential for civic engagement, allowing residents to voice opinions and influence local governance.
NYC politics
fromwww.amny.com
3 days ago

NYC Council members would have more control in establishing community boards, per new bill

A new bill proposes that NYC Council members appoint half of community board members to enhance local representation.
New York City
fromwww.amny.com
4 days ago

NYC community boards: What to know about these civic groups, how they operate and why there's a reform push

NYC Community Boards are essential for civic engagement, allowing residents to voice opinions and influence local governance.
#new-york-city
New York City
fromwww.amny.com
3 days ago

Op-ed | A responsible path forward for New York City's budget | amNewYork

New York City's budget process is a complex negotiation that impacts community investment and addresses fiscal challenges.
New York City
fromStreetsblog New York City
3 days ago

Trash Containerization Program Remains Unfunded in Mamdani's City Budget - Streetsblog New York City

Funding for New York City's trash containerization program is uncertain, risking the continuation of efforts to improve waste management.
New York City
fromNew York Daily News
4 days ago

NYC Council budget plan averts Mamdani property tax hike, avoids tapping reserves

The City Council plans to close New York's budget gap without tax hikes or using reserves, proposing alternative funding sources instead.
fromDefector
2 weeks ago

Dam It All To Hell | Defector

Hoppers, like Pixar's pre-Disney films, is a delight. The beavers' world is immersive and richly realized, grounded in science but never dry. The plot zigs and zags between moments of absurdity and emotional heft to stirring effect; I cried multiple times, and not just because of the low-hanging fruit of grandma death.
Independent films
Renovation
fromwww.architectsjournal.co.uk
4 days ago

Practices launch architects on your doorstep' mobile AI advertising drive

The Architects on your Doorstep project uses AI to generate home makeover ideas, helping architects engage with the public and drum up business.
UK politics
fromwww.independent.co.uk
6 days ago

Water companies accused of more than 3,000 environmental rule breaches

The Environment Agency identified over 3,000 environmental breaches by water companies after conducting more than 10,000 inspections in the past year.
NYC politics
fromStreetsblog New York City
2 days ago

State Bill Would Stop Highway Expansions Near Vulnerable New Yorkers - Streetsblog New York City

New York State will halt highway expansions near public housing and asthma hotspots to protect vulnerable communities from pollution.
London politics
fromIndependent
3 days ago

Less than two weeks into the job, Dublin Bus CEO Billy Hann was grilled by politicians over the reliability of its service

Billy Hann aims to improve Dublin Bus services through structural changes informed by his aviation background.
#sustainability
fromNature
6 days ago
Environment

How buildings and cities can be aligned with life

Buildings currently harm the environment, but regenerative design can restore ecological systems and reduce waste through nature-inspired strategies.
fromEarth911
1 week ago
Environment

Earth911 Inspiration: The First Step To Sustainability

Sustainability begins with recognizing the connection between humanity and nature, free from artificial boundaries.
Environment
fromNature
6 days ago

How buildings and cities can be aligned with life

Buildings currently harm the environment, but regenerative design can restore ecological systems and reduce waste through nature-inspired strategies.
Environment
fromEarth911
1 week ago

Earth911 Inspiration: The First Step To Sustainability

Sustainability begins with recognizing the connection between humanity and nature, free from artificial boundaries.
New York City
fromNBC New York
3 days ago

City Council adds free transit proposal to its preliminary budget response

City Council proposes an alternative budget to address a $6 billion shortfall without raising taxes or cutting essential services.
London politics
fromwww.bbc.com
6 days ago

Dismay as allotments set to become graveyard

Richmond Council plans to convert allotments into a cemetery despite significant public opposition and calls for a sustainable burial strategy.
NYC politics
fromStreetsblog New York City
4 days ago

Wednesday's Headlines: We 404'd The Times Edition - Streetsblog New York City

The New York Times often fails to credit Streetsblog for local coverage, relying instead on their content management system for information.
fromState of the Planet
6 days ago

From Classrooms to Climate Impact: Two Careers Flourish in Singapore

"Singapore is in a very unique position because they face a lot of land constraints, so there are few ways for them to generate their own renewable energy. Singapore is pushing for integrated energy systems throughout ASEAN, so that renewable energy produced in other countries can be brought back to Singapore. There's a very distinct, coordinated effort for countries to come together to work on climate change and energy security in a way that I haven't really seen."
Environment
fromwww.bbc.com
1 week ago

Campaigners celebrate after new town plans dropped

Campaigner Aysha Hawcutt stated that residents were 'not anti-homes', but believed the Adlington plan was 'the wrong proposal in the wrong place'. She expressed pride in the community's resilience against the development threats.
London politics
NYC politics
fromNew York City, NY Patch
6 days ago

Your Vote Decides Which New York Neighborhood Fix Mamdani Will Tackle Next

Over 11,600 New Yorkers participated in the Mayor's Municipal Madness to select city projects for repair by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
New York City
fromwww.amny.com
4 days ago

Transit officials announce clean air investments in South Bronx thanks to congestion pricing revenue | amNewYork

Congestion pricing funds will replace diesel trucks with hybrid models to reduce air pollution in the city.
Alternative transportation
fromStreetsblog
2 weeks ago

Why Some Congresspeople Want to Go Big on Greenways - Streetsblog USA

The Parks to People Act proposes $300 million in federal funding for walking and biking infrastructure as essential transportation tools, despite political opposition dismissing them as distractions.
London politics
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 week ago

English councils to get guidance on designing safer streets for women and girls

Councils will receive guidance to create safer streets for women and girls, addressing systemic unfairness in walking safety.
LA real estate
fromLos Angeles Times
26 years ago

Developer Takes Big Steps to Win Public Support

A developer is conducting an extensive $50,000 grassroots campaign distributing informational packets to 4,000 neighbors to build support for an 866-home project in Santa Clarita Valley.
Environment
fromwww.cbc.ca
1 week ago

Why environmental advocates are speaking out against a planned development in northeast Pickering | CBC News

Environmental advocates oppose a planned development in northeast Pickering due to concerns about flood risk, water quality, and endangered species.
Alternative transportation
fromFast Company
3 weeks ago

Traffic safety improvements frequently die by popular vote. It's time to stop that

Vision Zero, a Swedish road safety philosophy, proves traffic deaths are preventable through proper street design, enforcement, and awareness, yet Americans resist safety improvements due to normalized traffic violence.
Artificial intelligence
fromFast Company
1 month ago

Local governments could deploy AI for good. Here's how

Agentic AI can transform city governance by automating routine tasks, improving service efficiency, and enabling proactive infrastructure maintenance while maintaining accountability through ambitious local leadership.
fromArchDaily
3 weeks ago

Mobility Justice: Urban Equity in an Era of Innovation

Every city contains two transportation systems. One is the visible network of roads, rail lines, sidewalks, and bus routes mapped in planning documents. The other is the invisible geography of privilege and exclusion embedded within it: the neighborhoods that received highways instead of parks, the communities whose bus routes were cut, the sidewalks that abruptly end at the edge of a district.
Alternative transportation
New York City
fromwww.amny.com
2 weeks ago

Editorial | NYC spends too much money. It's time to get things under control. | amNewYork

New York City faces a $7.3 billion budget deficit over two fiscal years due to chronic overspending relative to revenue, with structural imbalances threatening municipal bond ratings.
fromArchDaily
2 months ago

Who Owns Public Space? Three Active Models of Shared Management Shaping Urban Commons in Europe and New York

Public space is often understood as belonging to no one in particular, collectively accessible yet institutionally maintained, yet a growing number of initiatives are challenging this assumption by testing shared management and distributed ownership models. In Paris, Adoptez un banc introduces a sponsorship-based approach, allowing individuals and groups to support temporarily and symbolically claim responsibility for historic public furniture without compromising its collective use.
France news
fromwww.mercurynews.com
2 months ago

Letters: Fight over gate raises questions of government service

The current issue is whether Fremont controls the road that the Alameda County Board of Supervisors ceded to Christopher George, who has now blocked access with a gate. But it is part of a longer battle that has included the board considering George's request for the land after his company donated $10,000 to Supervisor David Haubert's campaign. The board granted his request ostensibly to save maintenance costs, but at the expense of constituents who have used that section of road recreationally for decades.
US politics
Environment
fromwww.bbc.com
1 month ago

New policy coming on data centres, City Hall says

London is developing new data centre policies to balance economic benefits against environmental concerns, particularly regarding power consumption and water usage.
fromEntrepreneur
2 months ago

How to Win Big With Public-Sector Partners

Understanding the difference in purpose Unlike private businesses, which exist to make a profit, public institutions are designed to create impact - especially social and economic outcomes that benefit everyone, not just paying customers. A public agency doesn't measure its success in revenue or margins, but in how much it improves lives, builds equity and maintains public trust. This doesn't mean budgets and spending don't matter - they absolutely do - but money is not the goal. It's the tool.
World politics
UK politics
fromwww.bbc.com
2 months ago

Can a council do five days' work in four?

South Cambridgeshire District Council adopted a 32-hour, four-day week and reports improved retention, higher applicant numbers, agency savings, and maintained or improved most service metrics.
fromAxios
2 months ago

Exclusive: Inside Google's push to sell AI to cities

Between the lines: This isn't benevolence. It's customer acquisition. Mayors don't just buy "AI." They buy cloud, data modernization, cybersecurity, services, and long-term support - the tech stack underneath any serious deployment. In return, cities get tools that could fix long-standing challenges, Cris Turner, vice president of government affairs at Google told Axios last June when it first released its playbook.
Artificial intelligence
fromFast Company
1 month ago

How to meet the surging energy demand without needing as much new electricity

When Specian dug into the data, he discovered that implementing energy-efficiency measures and shifting electricity usage to lower-demand times are two of the fastest and cheapest ways of meeting growing thirst for electricity. These moves could help meet much, if not all, of the nation's projected load growth. Moreover, they would cost only half-or less-what building out new infrastructure would, while avoiding the emissions those operations would bring.
Environment
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